Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying directory-linked canned messages on a display (20) of a portable device (10) having selective call receiving functions. A personal name directory (100) is stored in the device (10). The name directory (100) comprises a plurality of entries (102), each entry comprising at least one telephone number and at least one canned message corresponding to the at least one telephone number. A paging message including a telephone number is received by the portable device (10). The personal name directory (100) is searched to determine if the telephone number received in the paging message matches with a telephone number in any of the personal name directory entries (102). If there is a match, the canned message which corresponds to the personal name directory entry that matches the telephone number received in the paging message is displayed. Otherwise, a default message is displayed.